Christmas Lights and Old Pipes

The holiday season is so wonderful! People seem to be a bit more cheerful, Christmas music can be heard while strolling around the grocery store, and all of the decorations just make the world a cozier place.

The other day we woke up to a blanket of fresh white snow here in Northern Utah, so that night I decided to go on a little ride with my family to look at all of the Christmas lights on people's houses. It was so fun! We drove through an older section of town where the majority of the homes were built before 1950. It never ceases to amaze me how even the smallest, most simple houses from that period can still find crafty little ways to stand out. They all seem to have a unique sort of "pizzazz" that makes it hard to take your eyes off of them. I call it character (click here for more articles about character).

My fiancée and I started talking about it, and there's just something about older homes that fills them with character and sets them apart from their more recent counterparts. Unfortunately, with old homes comes a whole slew of age-related problems -- old pipes, outdated wiring, sewage problems, etc. -- Talk about a mess! Fortunately, there are designers out there who are still able to capture the unique character that was once common in American architecture.

Take Plan #126-1289, for instance. This traditional beauty offers the quality craftsmanship that you'd expect from a pre-WWII home, but it has all of the modern amenities demanded by today's family. You'll have a hard time finding a more inviting feature than a classy covered front porch. Front porches have a very warm neighborly appeal about them. This plan also offers a peaceful screened porch and a secluded den, but if you're looking for a place to relax, just wait till you see the huge upstairs Master Bath. Wow!

This plan (DD-2853) is all about providing for your needs. A large desk area in one of the bedrooms is perfect for your busy high-school student. The bonus room could be used for anything: additional storage, a home office, even a toy room. The kitchen is very open and provides a handy center island as well as a casual breakfast area.